Stretch Marks

James 4:13-16 (NLT)

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

I once heard a Pastor tell a story about a farmer who was walking to town with his cow. As he passed various neighbor’s homes they would ask, “Where you goin’ with that cow, neighbor?” And each time the farmer would confidently reply, “I’m goin’ into town to sell my cow.” As the farmer was approaching the town, a dark cloud came out of nowhere and a lightening bolt struck his cow…leaving nothing but the aroma of BBQ. Stunned, the farmer simply turned around and headed back home. As he approached the last neighbor he had spoke with, he was asked, “Where you goin’ now, neighbor?” The farmer thoughtfully replied, “I’m goin’ home…..Lord Willing, I’m goin’ home!”

Sure, God wants us to be proactive and smart about planning ahead. What He doesn’t want is for us to be so focused on those plans that our will becomes a higher priority than His. True blessing comes when we boast about what God is planning to do in our lives…not what we ‘want’ for ourselves. The simple, central theme to the above passage is that God really does have big plans for you and I. If we believe this, shouldn’t we be searching out His plans for our lives daily? This week, may you place your plans in your back pocket for a while. Then, take a risk…..ask God to reveal His hopes and dreams for you. After that, all you have to do is be willing to stretch…..….A LOT!

A Graveside Gift

Ephesians 2:14-16 (NLT)

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

This issue of uniting two groups of people into one really is the premise for Christ’s church. Through His crucifixion, Jesus blessed the church with unity…or at least the hope and desire for it. It is His intention, yet we are still very much human. Christ’s church is a new people. We are a new people…and God killed our hostility. When we argue with each other and harbor hostile feelings toward one another, we are in essence exhuming attitudes and behaviors that God meant to remain buried.

May we constantly utilize a ‘character filter’ when we experience differences between each other. It’s totally fine to have differing opinions and ideas…but to act hostile toward another believer is like telling Jesus ‘thanks, but no thanks’ for dying on the cross. This week, may we be thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice and loving hope for His church.

This little light of mine...

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

When we take a closer look at this Bible passage we notice two key concepts: a) If we truly have a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, we shouldn’t have to ‘try’ to communicate it. That light should be so bright and obvious to everyone around us without even having to say a word. b) Every good thing we do (in our marriage, at work, with our families, etc.) should be out in the open and very visible. The next part is huge! We do all this for the sole purpose of bringing attention to God….period. No human agendas. No personal desires or benefits considered above Him.

I think one of the most difficult aspects of this view of living life comes at those times when our light is barely lit. Have you ever experienced this…wanting to hide your light because it’s not worth showing? Here’s why it’s so critical to keep on showing our light…no matter how strong or weak. When others’ flames get extinguished they need to see those around them who they can go to for re-ingnition. If we have no flame, it’s impossible to relight anyone.

This week, may you sense your own flame for God in your life…and may you also put it on display no matter the circumstances. And may others be led to praise God because of your light.

What's in your Life?

Check out this excerpt from “Seizing Your Devine Moment” by Erwin McManus (p. 48).

“There are few things more inspiring than a life lived with passionate clarity. Yet sometimes observing others live that kind of life can leave a bitter taste in the mouth along with the thirst.”

Which part do you resonate with today? Are you watching others live this life, or are you one of those who are enjoying that ‘clarity’ that McManus talks about? I find it intriguing that he calls this kind of life ‘inspiring’…to be observed in others. What is it in their life that conveys that inspiration factor? Simple…we see the character and heartbeat of God! In their smile, physical contact from one person to another, and aesthetic observance of pure joy; this is who God is. When we see others fully and effectively embracing the life God has in mind for us all, it makes us long to be there too.

So, if your life does encompass that passionate clarity, pray that you don’t allow yourself to get stuck there. Don’t become content with the comfort of today, because God will introduce new things tomorrow. Welcome the new with open arms. Otherwise, you will soon be the one watching others live clearly in their ‘today.’

Camp or Climb

James 2:26

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

One of the books I am currently reading is “Seizing Your Devine Moment” by Erwin McManus. He is (in my opinion) one of the most influential and insightful Christian writers and speakers today. As I was reading on pages 42 & 43 this morning, the topic that he was writing about really caught my attention. Twice he uses the phrase ‘Just Do Something’…which happens to be the title of a sermon series that I kicked off just yesterday. Crazy! Anyway, Erwin goes on to write about times that as believers we find ourselves stuck at a crossroads. Most of us tend to pitch a tent right there in the intersection and wait for God to audibly speak His will to us. Erwin points out that God simply doesn’t role like that.

As Christians, we are called to a life journey of action…NOT sedentary faith! When we arrive at crossroads in life we are to act. Now, of course we need to pray and be in tune with the nudging of the Holy Spirit. That’s a given. What we must be very careful not to do, however, is getting stuck in that spot for weeks and months inactive in our journey.

So here’s my question for you this week. Where are you at in your current journey with Jesus? Are you hiking to the summit of Mt. Everest, or are you camped out at the base of the mountain waiting & praying that God doesn’t actually ask you to go for it?